The Lafayette Drillers, a Double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, called Lafayette, Louisiana their home for two years, from 1975-1976.

The Drillers, who played their home games at Clark Field, were co-champions of the Texas League in 1975 with the Midland Cubs, finishing 72-57, before going 58-76 in 1976, the last year of affiliated professional baseball in Lafayette.

A number of outstanding players, who eventually made it into Major League Baseball ranks played at Clark Field in 1975 & 1976, including five former Lafayette Driller players.

All summer long, we’re taking a look back at some of the former players for the Drillers.

Today, pitcher Mike Rowland:

Rowland was a starting pitcher for the Drillers during the 1976 season.

Born in Chicago, Illinois, Rowland went to Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois, before being drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the 22 round of the Major League Baseball Draft in 1975 at the age of 22.

The 6-foot-3, 205-pound Rowland, a right-hander, made minor league stops in Great Falls, Montana and Fresno, California before joining the Drillers in 1976 at the age of 23.

With Lafayette, Rowland pitched in 26 games in ’76, all as a starter, going 5-14 with a 3.69 earned run average.

In 161 innings pitched, Rowland allowed 157 hits, 66 earned runs, and 59 walks, while striking out 87 hitters.

From 1977-1980, Rowland spent time in Waterbury, Florida and Phoenix, Arizona, before pitching in the Major Leagues, for the San Francisco Giants, for parts of the 1980 and 1981 MLB seasons.

In eight career minor league seasons, Rowland compiled a 64-78 overall record, along with one save, and a 4.38 ERA. over 119 appearances.

In 28 career appearances with the Giants in MLB, Rowland accumulated an overall record of 1-2 with a 2.74 ERA.

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